Restricted to Wisconsin only: WiscNet members include all public higher education, 95% of private higher education, 70% of public and private K-12, 80% of libraries state government, and 50% of city/county governments

WiscNet is a tax exempt, non-profit association whose fiscal agent is the University of Wisconsin-Madison. WiscNet is governed by an 11 member Board of Directors elected by the designated representatives of member organization. WiscNet also operates the WiscREN GigaPOP

Through February 2006, WiscNet will use a leased statewide ATM-on-SONET OC3/OC 12 backbone with 15 aggregation hubs supporting T1, fractional and full T3, and Ethernet service. We drain to multiple NSP’s at Chicago, Minneapolis and Milwaukee. Total throughout capacity is 2.3 Gbps

State-Level Broadband Report

Wisconsin Profile ALA-OITP

The Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning, the state library agency, is located in Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction. The Assistant State Superintendent in charge of the Division is Richard Grobschmidt, richard.grobschmidt@dpi.state.wi.us.

The Division is advised by a State Superintendent's Library Information Technology Advisory Committee to:

• Periodically review the Wisconsin Library Technology Strategic Plan
• Assist and advise the division in developing priorities on the use of federal LSTA funds for technology-related grant categories and projects
• Assist and advise the division in developing priorities and proposals for state funding requests related to technology
• Work in subcommittees to provide advice and assistance on specific division projects and programs
• Work in cooperation with library constituencies and organizations that may have their own technology planning processes
• Work to promote awareness of and support for technology-related programs and initiatives among the library community, key stakeholders and the public
• Members serve as liaisons to report back to their constituents on technology plans and programs of the division and of other library constituencies and organizations

Public Libraries

Wisconsin has 17 regional system libraries and 388 pubic libraries, which are mostly city libraries. To address the limitations of relying solely on local support and local coordination of library service, the Wisconsin legislature passed legislation in 1971 enabling the creation of regional public library systems. No county or public library is required to be a member of a library system; yet all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties and 388 public libraries are library system members.

The Regional Library Systems receive $15 million annually in state funding. The systems have several statutory obligations they must meet to retain state funding. One obligation is to assist their member libraries in the area of technology. In this regard, they play an important role in Wisconsin’s library connectively. They provide technological support for member libraries that depend on the system staff as the first point of contact in case of network problems. All 17 systems have wide area networks (WANs) that their member libraries use for Internet access and for shared Integrated Library Systems (ILS). The WANS are part of BadgerNet, the state’s telecommunications network (see below.)

Filtering: The number of libraries filtering all workstations has remained consistently low, although there was a marked increase from 2% in 2004 to 5% in 2005. The 2005 figure of 5% represents nineteen of the state’s 388 public libraries. 22-25% apply for telephone service.

BadgerNet

Almost all of Wisconsin's public libraries and all library systems are members of the state operated network called BadgerNet. Wisconsin’s Department of Administration (DOA) is responsible for managing BadgetNet. A BadgerNet converged network (BCN) Advisory Council advises the department and the service provider (Wisconsin BadgetNet Access Alliance (WBAA) on customer issues relating to the network contract, the operation of the network, and the process for developing timely solutions to services provided under the network contract.

BadgerNet History

In 1993, then Governor Tommy Thompson established a Blue Ribbon Commission to investigate the establishment of a statewide network for education institutions and government agencies. At that time, Wisconsin had a fiber network for distance earning purposes used by about 60% of the state’s 426 school districts. The State Library advocated early on for the inclusion of libraries and libraries are included in the statutes that govern the network. The first BadgerNet data network was establishing in 1995.

In preparation for expiration of the first BadgerNet data and video network contracts in 2005, Wisconsin proposed a plan in 2001 to replace its separate data and video networks with a single, converged network—the BadgerNet converged network (BCN). The objective of this project was to provide dynamic, scalable bandwidth on a vendor-managed network to approximately 2,000 data and/or video sites including state agencies, schools, universities/colleges, and other authorized users with the option for customers to request an increase in bandwidth when they needed it.
Following a competitive bid process, in March 2005 the DOA contracted the services of the WBAA, with AT&T as the prime contractor, to provide services for an enterprise network designed to converge data and video onto one IP MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) network with video communications.

Conversion began with pilot sites during September 2005 and was completed on time and on budget on September 1, 2006. For public libraries, most of the migration work was coordinated by the Division working directly with BCN staff and networking staff in the 17 regional public library systems. Between January and September 2005, 411 library circuits were converted to the BCN.

BadgerNet Funding. The state general fund supports the network at approximately $16 annually. In addition, the state collects about 6.5 million dollars from the Federal E-Rate program. Thus, the total annual cost is about $22.5 million.

BadgetNet Governance: As stated above, an advisory committee assists the DOA’s Chief Information Officer. Representative from libraries are allocated two seats on this committee. One of the library seats is reserved for state library division staff.

BadgetNet Vendor: AT&T supplies the circuits for the network in most urban areas with local phone companies providing circuits in rural areas. The DOA negotiates with the vendor and AT&T is responsible for overall network operation. The state’s current contract with AT&T expires September 1, 2111.

Network description: The network covers all areas of the state. In addition, BadgetNet provides a backbone, the middle, and last mile connections. Wisconsin has no problem with providing lines to its most rural areas. When AmeriTech received the first state contract in 1995 to build a state network, the state required AmeriTech to build in rural areas as well as urban.

Broadband sufficiency: Each library has a 512 circuit or higher. 22% or 90 libraries report a broadband problem. The installment of wireless and the development of video streaming and other broadband intensive applications have caused increased demands. There is more than enough capacity on BadgerNet. The question is who will pay for additional library bandwidth. As explained below, the state’s TEACH program that subsidizes K-12 and public library bandwidth has not had a budget increase for the past six years.

To solve bandwidth issues, some libraries use package shaping software and post requests for users not to download large videos. As part of the current state budget process, the state Department of Administration is requesting additional funds to provide more library subsidies for additional bandwidth via the TEACH program (see below). If the legislature approves this funding request, more bandwidth will be available in fall 2007.

TEACH (Technology for Educational Achievement)

The objective of the TEACH Data Line Program is to provide a basic level of affordable high-speed Internet access. Prior to the TEACH Program, the percentage of public school districts and library boards in the state with quality Internet access was minimal. Today, TEACH Wisconsin supports in excess of 90% of all 426 public school districts with high-speed BadgerNet circuits through one of the three Telecommunication Access Programs. TEACH supports a substantial number of private K-12 schools and approximately 90% of the public library boards. TEACH is a part of the Department of Administration.

Under the Data Line program, applicants may request a Data Line from the TEACH Board. School districts may request up to one line per high school in their district. A Data Line is defined as "a data circuit that provides direct access to the Internet.” A Data Line does not include voice services or other non-Internet related data transmission or services.

Most applicants apply for the T-1 Data Line. The cost is $100 per month or $1,200 per year, billed on an annual basis. Applicants can request a larger Data Line (up to DS3/45 Mbps for example). The monthly cost for the DS3 service is $250 per month. However, TEACH staff requires applicants who wish to apply for a larger Data Line must justify the additional request.

Libraries and branches may request Data Lines to be installed by linking the library directly to the library system headquarters to form a system wide WAN. An aggregated circuit then goes from the system headquarters to a BadgerNet router and then out to the public Internet. The regional library system WANS are also used for shared Integrated Library Systems (ILS). . However it is important to understand that the primary mission of TEACH is to support patron Internet access. Most libraries use WiscNet for their Internet Service Provider (ISP) (see below) but about 25% of libraries have another ISP.
TEACH funding: Teach is supported by the E-Rate (see below). Necessary, additional funds derive from Wisconsin's state universal service fund. This fund collects about $26 million annually of which 3.1 million dollars is used to subsidize library BadgerNet circuits. A part of this fund is used to pay technology assistance staff in public library systems. This fund was created in 1996 and is collected by the State Public Service Commission. The $3.1 million in library subsidies has not increased in the past six years. Thus as library bandwidth needs have increased, TEACH has not always been able to offer the same level of subsidy. Libraries then face the choice of living with inadequate bandwidth or paying more out of their local budgets. As noted above, an increase in TEACH funding has been requested in the next state budget that starts July 1, 2007. The TEACH program does not require discounts recipients to use filters or to apply to the federal E-rate program before making application to the program.

TEACH and ERATE: TEACH files a Wisconsin statewide consortium application. This process requires considerable cooperation from each applicant involved. Each year, the Department of Public Instruction collects basic data needed for E-rate applications (number of students, school lunch figures, etc.) from every school that will be part of the statewide TEACH E-rate consortium application. These data are then shared with TEACH staff. Approximately 811 schools and libraries on the TEACH E-rate applicationThe state library division works with TEACH on issues related to the provision of data lines and the parallel development of library system wide area networks. Over 95% of the state’s public libraries are part of regional library system WANs. The WANs are used primarily for Internet access and to connect libraries that are part of regional shared integrated library systems.

WiscNet

WiscNet is a non-profit, membership-based association of public and private organizations that provides access to worldwide information and computing resources with primary emphasis on education, research, and public service. WiscNet is part of the University of Wisconsin - Madison but is governed by its own member institutions through a Board of Directors. Division staff also serves on the WiscNet board, as over 70% of the state’s public libraries and school districts get their Internet access and other services through WiscNet. Nine of the 11 board members serve three-year terms, with three elected at each annual meeting. The nomination process ensures that each of WiscNet s major constituencies is represented on the board. The remaining two members are appointed by the Chancellors of UW-Madison and UWMilwaukee, respectively. The Executive Director, reports to the Board. In addition, WiscNet contracts for services with UW-Madison's Division of Information Technology and UW-Milwaukee s Division of Information and Media Technologies.

WiscNet aggregates Internet traffic into faster, more cost-effective circuits. It takes advantage of educational discounts. It shares server computers and shares technical expertise, reducing local support costs. WiscNet is large enough to directly interconnect with multiple national and international networks in multiple locations, thus avoiding payments to third parties to carry internetwork traffic.

Other models could have been chosen to provide Internet access to educational institutions and libraries in Wisconsin. In some states, for example, a state agency provides the access. In others, Internet access is provided to individual institutions directly by the private sector. WiscNet members believe that the current model is superior, because it fits the cooperative and reflects Wisconsin s progressive grassroots heritage. By controlling their own network, members have the flexibility to evolve it dynamically to meet their specific needs as they occur. Indeed, the governance structure, network designs, fees and services have all changed markedly, some several times, in the short history of the organization. For the typical member-institution, associating with members with similar needs and with technology leaders such as the research universities maximizes opportunities for sharing and technology transfer.

WiscNet’s Partnership with State Government: WiscNet was created in 1988 to serve colleges and universities at a time when Wisconsin was just beginning to install the necessary underlying technology to provide Internet-communications among its agencies. As a result, it made sense for the state to use WiscNet for Internet access, and later for WiscNet to collaborate with the state’s Department of Administration to provide Internet access over the state’s BadgerNet network.

This partnership works very well: the state uses its size and communications volume to contract for economical circuits (e.g., BadgerNet), and WiscNet uses its Internet expertise and that of its members to benefit state agencies, schools and libraries.

When public policy initiatives at the state level (TEACH) and national level (E-rate) brought opportunities to schools and libraries, most selected WiscNet for their ISP to make effective use of their subsidized access circuits.

Fees and Membership: For 2006-07, the annual fee is $4250 (and the annual usage fee is $895 per megabit/second (down from 2005-2006 year's rate of $1325 per megabit/second). WiscNet is self-sustaining. Wisconsin’s Public Library Systems pay the annual fee. Some systems charge this fee, which averages $400/annually per library, back to their members, but most systems do not. If there is no chargeback fee, libraries basically get Internet access at no cost. WiscNet is responsible for maintaining the router at the library and the library system.

WiscNet members include the State of Wisconsin, virtually all of Wisconsin's colleges and universities, more than 75 percent of the state's K12 school districts, most library systems, many local and municipal governments, and several nonprofit affiliated organizations.

BadgerLink

BadgerLink provides access to quality online information resources for Wisconsin residents in cooperation with the state's public, school, academic, and special libraries and Internet Service Providers.

The Department of Public Instruction currently contracts with five vendors (EBSCO, ProQuest, Thomson Gale, NewspaperARCHIVE, and TeachingBooks) to provide access to articles from thousands of newspaper and periodical titles, image files, and other specialized reference materials and websites. BadgerLink also connects users to WISCAT (the online catalog of Wisconsin library holdings) OCLC WorldCat directories of libraries, access to library-digitized collections, and other information. BadgerLink’s database are available to every Wisconsin resident from their local library or home.

BadgerLink services began in July 1998. The project is funded through the state’s Universal Service Fund and costs approximately $2.8 million annually.

Glossary of Major Programs

The following brief definitions are provided to better explain the relationships between the various programs that are directly impact the sustainability of public library Internet access.

BadgerNet: State telecommunications network providing circuits to higher education, public and private K-12 schools, public libraries and government agencies at all levels. The state’s Department of Administration (DOA) has contracted with AT&T to provide most of the BadgerNet circuits and to manage the overall network. A BadgerNet Advisory Council advises the DOA and the prime contractor. Libraries and the state library division have representation on the advisory council.

BadgerLink: Provides access to content via contracts with vendors for periodicals and other resources via the Web. Resources are available free of charge to all state residents from their local library, work location or home.

TEACH: A state Department of Administration program that provides steep discounts for K-12 schools and libraries to purchase bandwidth on BadgerNet. Discounts are funded via the state’s universal service program and the federal E-rate program.

WiscNet: The state’s not-for-profit Internet provider that provides Internet access to higher education, and most K-12 schools and public libraries. WiscNet is a University of Wisconsin entity that works closely with BadgerNet staff to ensure overall network stability and access. (Approximately 25% of k-12 schools and libraries have an Internet provider other than WiscNet.)

Suggestions for Assistance

Wisconsin’s vision is that library users find all the information that they need at their library, whether in print though resource sharing, or in digital form. Sufficient connectivity is necessary to insure this vision.

Many of Wisconsin’s libraries do not have the staff resources necessary to become independent in technology support. The library systems role is very important in making sure that connectivity is sustained at the local library. The Gates Foundation could assist in helping the systems or regional libraries (or the state library) develop a well-trained staff who offer technology support to local libraries.

Regarding states that do not have networks, the Gates Foundation could assist by promoting and supporting model projects based on the particular needs and context of each state that participates. State libraries need to be involved in developing and implementing these projects, as they are key to insuring the success.